Sierra Leone Population Pyramid 2026

Sierra Leone
2026
Population: 8,996,744

Year

-5 -1   2026  +1 +5

Country

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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Sierra Leone in 2026

The population of Sierra Leone in 2026 is estimated at 8,996,744. A decade earlier, in 2016, the population was 7,205,329; it has grown by 24.9% since.

The median age is 21.0 years, and for every 100 people of working age (15–64) there are 62.6 children under 15 and 5.6 people aged 65 or over. The pyramid is expansive: its wide base of young cohorts reflects high fertility and a rapidly growing population.

Share of the population by age group, 1950–2100

Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.

Population
8,996,744
Median age
21.0
0-14 %
37.2%
65+ %
3.3%
Child dependency
62.6
Old-age dependency
5.6
Region
Pyramid shape
Population 2050
12,948,325
Population 2100
15,934,257
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
1234567
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 3.79

In 2023 women in Sierra Leone had on average 3.79 children, above the replacement level of 2.1.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total Women Men
203040506070
19602023 · 61.8

A child born there in 2023 could expect to live 61.8 years on average (63.5 years for girls, 60.1 for boys).

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children Older adults
22456890
19502100
Where immigrants come from (2024)

49,156 immigrants live in Sierra Leone, 0.6% of the population.

Guinea33,542
Liberia8,462
Nigeria2,024
India892
Ghana874
Where emigrants live (2024)

63,631 people born in Sierra Leone live in other countries.

Senegal15,843
Liberia13,878
Guinea8,065
Nigeria4,679
Australia4,218
Explore
Immigration statistics Origin of migrant stocks map

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

Country Population Median age Relative size
Sierra Leone 8,996,745 21.0
Togo 9,930,919 20.2
Liberia 5,853,949 20.0
Mauritania 5,461,319 18.6
Gambia 2,884,080 19.8
How many people live in Sierra Leone in 2026?
In 2026, Sierra Leone's population is estimated at 8,996,744.
Is Sierra Leone's population growing or shrinking?
Yes, growing: up 24.9% from 2016, with a projected population of 12,948,325 in 2050.
What is the median age in Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone's median age is 21.0 years.
How many children and older people live in Sierra Leone?
In Sierra Leone, 37.2% of people are under 15 and 3.3% are 65 or older.
What type of population pyramid does Sierra Leone have?
Sierra Leone's pyramid is expansive — broad at the bottom, the signature of high birth rates and a growing population.

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